Cincinnati quarterback Andy Dalton is tackled by San Diego linebacker Jarret Johnson in the second half of the Bengals' wild-card game loss Sunday.

Written by

Paul Daugherty
The Cincinnati Enquirer

It was a lovely day for an exorcism. Sad skies, falling temperatures and steady, cold rain after halftime. A perfect metaphor for what should have been.

The Bengals were a better team than the San Diego Chargers. That sounds ridiculous now in the wake of the 27-10 loss and a 23rd consecutive season without a postseason win. That makes it no less true. They had better players and were playing at home in conditions familiar to them. They led 10-7 at halftime, and Philip Rivers had thrown for all of 48 yards.

Rivers is a good quarterback, having one of his better years. The Chargers looked determined to ...